convert

¹

[ verb kuhn-vurt; noun kon-vurt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to change (something) into a different form or properties; transmute; transform.
2. to cause to adopt a different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc.:

   to convert the heathen.

   Synonyms: proselytize

3. to turn to another or a particular use or purpose; divert from the original or intended use:

   They converted the study into a nursery for the baby.

4. to modify (something) so as to serve a different function:

   to convert an automobile factory to the manufacture of tanks.

5. to obtain an equivalent value for in an exchange or calculation, as money or units of measurement:

   to convert bank notes into gold; to convert yards into meters.

6. Finance. to exchange voluntarily (a bond or preferred stock) into another security, usually common stock, because of the greater value of the latter.
7. to change in character; cause to turn from an evil life to a righteous one:

   to convert a criminal.

8. Chemistry. to cause (a substance) to undergo a chemical change:

   to convert sugar into alcohol.

9. to invert or transpose.
10. Law.
    1. to assume unlawful rights of ownership of (personal property).
    2. to change the form of (property), as from realty to personalty or vice versa.
11. to appropriate wrongfully to one's own use.
12. Logic. to transpose the subject and predicate of (a proposition) by conversion.
13. Computers. to subject to conversion.

verb (used without object)

1. to become converted.
2. Football. to make a conversion.

noun

1. one who has been converted, as to a religion or opinion.

   Synonyms: neophyte, proselyte, novice

convert

²

[ kon-vurt ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a convertible automobile.
2. a convertible bond.

convert

verb

1. to change or adapt the form, character, or function of; transform
2. to cause (someone) to change in opinion, belief, etc
3. to change (a person or his way of life, etc) for the better
4. intr to admit of being changed (into)

   the table converts into a tray

5. also intr to change or be changed into another chemical compound or physical state

   to convert water into ice

6. law
   1. to assume unlawful proprietary rights over (personal property)
   2. to change (property) from realty into personalty or vice versa
7. also intr rugby to make a conversion after (a try)
8. logic to transpose the subject and predicate of (a proposition) by conversion
9. to change (a value or measurement) from one system of units to another
10. to exchange (a security or bond) for something of equivalent value

noun

1. a person who has been converted to another belief, religion, etc

Derived Forms

• conˈvertive, adjective

Other Words From

• con·vertive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of convert¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb converten, from Latin convertere “to change completely,” equivalent to con- intensive prefix + vertere “to turn”; noun convert replacing converse, Middle English convers, ultimately from Latin conversus; converse ², verse ¹

Origin of convert²

By shortening of convertible

Word History and Origins

Origin of convert¹

C13: from Old French convertir, from Latin convertere to turn around, alter, transform, from vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See transform.

Example Sentences

The medical experts pushing it on TV are often the same few, with little evidence of them winning any converts.

From Washington Post

In winning his converts, Jones had the advantage of quick wit, a superb visual memory, and his civilian training as a lawyer, which had schooled him in “the gentle art of drawing a red herring across my questioners’ train of thought.”

From The Daily Beast

The SEO track will tackle keywords and copy that convert, content marketing and link building, navigation and CTAs, as well as testing.

From Search Engine Land

A lot of our content currently converts on social media and we’ve figured out which types of content converts on different platforms, but one area to invest more in is onsite.

From Digiday

Although she did pull down millions in speaking fees from banks and other corporations, she is a late convert to the cause of aggressive financial regulation.

From ProPublica

There is also “other” and “willing to convert” (more on those categories later).

From The Daily Beast

Freundel had created the practice dunks because of an experience with a prior convert, according to Mandel.

From The Daily Beast

This 18-hour trip was in a less nice room, but one that had two seats that convert into a bed.

From The Daily Beast

Be a good citizen, and heaven awaits; fail to convert and lead a moral life, burn in hell.

From The Daily Beast

“The two most dangerous types of people are poor who become rich and those who convert to Islam,” observed one man from Snuny.

From The Daily Beast

It would not take two minutes to convert him from the inquisitor to the martyr at the stake.

From Project Gutenberg

As for poor Dolly, if he catches her and tries to convert her to his ideas, the child has nimble feet and can run.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the colonists sincerely desired to acquaint and convert the Indians to Christianity.

From Project Gutenberg

The laudable aim of America to convert the Filipino into an American in action and sentiment will probably never be realized.

From Project Gutenberg

Had some dealings with Felix Phellion, whom he tried to convert to his religious belief.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apply
• download
• modify
• remodel
• reorganize
• switch
• transform
• translate
• turn